Flying J Visa Fueling Fouled
We just received a post from the Escapees Club, that national organization of fulltime RVers. Seems some of the membership has suddenly raised a squawk concerning fueling problems at Flying J truck stops.For those with the BIG rigs who go run with the big dogs out in the truck islands, VISA cards have suddenly become anathema to the Flying J folks. The sad part for one couple, was they didn't learn this until after they'd completed a really BIG fillup. Happily they didn't have to wash dishes in the restaurant to pay for their fuel: The company allowed them to purchase a Flying J "gift card" and then run the gift card to pay for their fuel.
According to the e-mail from Escapees, this VISA prohibition doesn't apply to fueling up at the auto or RV fueling islands, only in the big truck lanes. Still the hassle of having to swipe your card more than once if making a big purchase can be a headache.
Photo: Image Public Domain 2007 courtesy of Bear69designS
Labels: alternative fuel, credit card, flying j, VISA card
posted by Russ and Tiña De Maris at
8/03/2007 09:01:00 AM
21 Comments:
The question is?
Why won't they accept VISA?????
By
Anonymous, at 6:37 AM, August 08, 2007
I make it a habit to check which card is ok to use at the stations I visit. I noticed the Visa prohibition and didn't use that card. I also take the AMEX card into the attendant because I don't like to reinsert the card after the station limit is met at the pump ($50-$75). Another thing to watch out for when fueling on both sides...ensure the rig sits level! One pump can still pump when the other side shuts off and fuel can come out the other side....makes a big mess. Finally, make sure you ask the attendant when he wants your FJ card so you can get the discounts. Without the discounts you're paying too much.
By
Anonymous, at 7:27 AM, August 08, 2007
I have quit using Flying J. Too much hassle. The discount isn't worth it since I have a 75 gallon tank. I just fill up more often.
By
Anonymous, at 9:06 AM, August 08, 2007
Actually, if you use your Visa card at "The Hook" (Flying J), at the RV island, you're limited to $50. With your RV travel card, if you go to the fuel island BEFORE you start fuelling, they will permit you to fill up. It is a royal pain though.
ASk at any 'Hook' what the issue is with Visa and you'll get a different answer.
TravlynWomyn
By
Anonymous, at 12:08 PM, August 08, 2007
seems there are whiners every where you go. most of these people have all the time in the world, but it's to much hassel if we have to take a couple of extra steps to the fuel desk.
By
Anonymous, at 7:02 AM, August 09, 2007
The limit on the Visa card may come from your financial institution, check with them to see if you can have it raised.
By
Anonymous, at 2:48 PM, August 09, 2007
I use a Visa Debit card rather than a credit card and that became a problem since I don't own a MC debit card. I now press pay inside, fuel up and write a check instead. This has to be approved in advance by Flying J but this still gives you the discount and the cash price.
Jerry and Janice
2005 Bounder 38N
Fulltimers, currently in Nevada
By
Anonymous, at 4:09 PM, August 10, 2007
The money limit on Visa gas purchaces is set by the station in my experiance. And not by the fuel brand either. At the Chevron at home the station cuts off at $75, at other Chevron stations the pump runs till the tank is full, or there might be a limit like $50.
By
Anonymous, at 4:09 PM, August 10, 2007
I called Visa to see who was limiting my purchases to $50 or &75. I was told Visa puts no limit on fuel purchases, that it is the individual gas station that limits CC purchases.
By
Anonymous, at 5:40 AM, August 11, 2007
I always amazes me how many lies you can be told by station personnel, concerning dollar limits on a credit card purchase. The same brand 200 miles apart will tell you a totally different story, and always blame the CC card company. The CC card company tells me they impose no limit on good credit accounts.
By
Homer, at 10:29 AM, August 11, 2007
I quit using Flying J's for the following reasons:
1. Sometimes long lines at the RV islands.
2. Restrictions on type of card, limit on purchase, etc.
3. Sometimes difficult to make the left turn in front of the convenience store.
By
Anonymous, at 11:08 AM, August 11, 2007
My problem is not with the RV islands at the Flying J's. It is with inconsiderate RVers. They fill up, fiddle around the RV, go in to pay, and I even had one to sit down to lunch. I had to ask them to move out of the fuel lanes. I am an RVer but generally we have a lot to learn. You would never see an over the road trucker sit in a fuel lane after fill up. Please be considerate of others at the fuel lanes.
By
Anonymous, at 12:44 PM, August 11, 2007
We have quit using flying J Its often difficult to see the cash/card price from the road and often difficult to get to the diesel pumps ast the rv site. It has become too long a wait and too much trouble when you are trying to make time on the road.
By
William, at 7:45 AM, August 12, 2007
I no longer use flying J. Often too hard to get in and out of rv diesel with a 5th wheel. Too hard to see difference in cash/card prices from highway. Takes too long to deal with card hassels when you are trying to make time down the road
By
William, at 7:47 AM, August 12, 2007
I don't plan a cross-country trip or a multi-state trip for about 18 months, so this info is helpful. Is the Flying J the only game in town? What is so attractive about it that RVers have a tough time switching to another brand? What is the discount mentioned that apparently only the Flying J gives. Thanks.
By
Anonymous, at 7:59 AM, August 12, 2007
Flying J does have it problems, ie: that hard left hand turn in front of the convenience store, especially when there are RVers parked there to go in to pay. In this case, we are ALL backed up. Please, please, after fueling, move so others can get to pumps and get out again. We had one fellow in front of us wash the entire front of his coach and got beligerant when asked if he would "please, pull forward". What an a**! Plus, there was a trailer full of very hot horses suffering, behind us. Really, no excuse for being that inconsiderate.
By
Anonymous, at 11:32 AM, August 12, 2007
Anbody ever heard of real cash money :)
Bebop
By
Anonymous, at 2:43 PM, August 12, 2007
As a retired tanker driver. I STOPPED using Flying J several years ago. They are a royal pain in the butt in more than one way. Service is crappy and so is everything else. Our RV goes better places!
By
Anonymous, at 4:50 AM, August 13, 2007
We have stopped using Flying J for the following reason. At one station we attempted to fuel in the truck lane, when my husband was sprayed in the face with vapor from the fuel line. Even though little or no fuel came out, we were charged nearly $6 after two attempts without any fuel being released.
After waiting 30 minutes for the manager to emerge from his office, my husband was accused of being a lier right in front of the store customers. After literally forcing the manager to duplicate the incident, the pump registered nearly the same $6 charge with little or no fuel as evidenced by the manager running it onto the ground. The manager left the pump without comment and, we were not given a credit until shift change that night.
We have since been told that Flying J "heats" their fuel so that it is less dense at higher temperature. This registers a gallon of fuel, which if cooled to ambient does not equal a true gallon even though you are charged for higher density fuel. This does not even account for the foam produced from releasing heated fuel under pressure. After changing to a different brand, we have observed less need to top off the tank indicating less foaming.
We will not do business with the J again.
By
Anonymous, at 8:34 PM, August 23, 2007
My wife and I just completed a four week trip starting from Thunder Bay Canada, through Ontaria, Quebec, PEI, Nova Scotia (took the ferry to Bar Harbor) and through the Eastern seaboard and back home to KCMO. When we finally reached Flying J territory again we were delighted. Good diesel and propane prices, free dumps and free water, and we're back on the road! I think there are only about 2 or 3 Flying J's in Canada, and we love the fact we've got plenty here. And the people and different areas of Canada were great. We highly recommend the trip. And we highly recommend Flying J's.
By
Anonymous, at 2:06 PM, August 25, 2007
I drive for a living (escort for oversize), and have a pop-up. I do not use Flying J, mostly because of service issues (long lines, slow staff.) However, when it comes to credit cards and Visa... These limits are set by corporate finance offices. I use Visa and usually fuel at Wilco's (Hess) if I can and go inside to drop my card first. It is a major inconvenience to me as I HAVE to use gas islands for my pickup's measly 25 gal. tank.
Here is why they limit it. Visa/MC/etc. puts a limit on fradulent purchases - what they will reimburse if you call your card in stolen. For Visa, that limit is $50, I believe MC is $75. Most store owners and credit divisions of corporations do not want to take the additional financial hit if the card is stolen.
As it pertains to Wilco - The Tom's Brook, VA Wilco cut my card at $50. We all know you can hardly fill a Honda civic on $50. I called corporate office and they said the were "experimenting" with $75 limits, and admitted it is their credit department that limits the franchises. (I have called corporate offices for Wilco, Flying J, and Sunoco in the last 6 months.)
Only two ways the problem will be fixed - credit card companies raising fraud limits to account for cost of living (unlikely) or people stop using credit at the pump (also unlikely.) Basically, not much choice in the matter without a whole lot of hoopla.
By
Anonymous, at 9:00 PM, September 17, 2007
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